Legislator Urges Gov. McDonnell to Sign HB 1160 into Law as Part of the Code of Virginia

RICHMOND, March 8 – Delegate Bob Marshall today praised the Virginia State Senate for passing his HB 1160 to prevent Virginia’s government agencies and employees from having to take part in illegal and indefinite federal detention of United States citizens.

The action completes the Virginia General Assembly’s consideration of the legislation. Marshall (R., Manassas) urged Gov. Bob McDonnell to sign the bill into law.

“I extend heartfelt thanks to the thousands of concerned citizens who communicated with members of the Senate and the House of Delegates over the last several weeks, urging adoption of this important measure against federal violation of our precious constitutional rights,” Marshall said.

“By overwhelming votes, members of both houses of the Virginia General Assembly now have expressed themselves in their unmistakable understanding of the inviolate protections of our civil rights under the constitutions of the United States and Virginia.

“I urge Gov. McDonnell to acknowledge this outpouring of grass-roots and legislative support of HB 1160, and I urge him to add his signature to this vital protection of our sacred liberties as citizens of Virginia and the nation.” (continued here)

The New American also provides the story. Here is an excerpt.

The bill will now be sent to Governor Bob McDonnell for his signature. Representatives from the Governor’s policy team have already indicated that the governor still has reservations about the language in the measure.

Delegate Marshall (R-13th) is disappointed in the way the Republican governor of the Old Dominion handled House Bill 1160, the measure sponsored by Marshall designed to dull the fangs of certain provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

According to Marshall, Governor Bob McDonnell used “secretive, backdoor” tactics to thwart passage in the House of Delegates of a Senate amendment to Marshall’s original proposal.

On January 16, Marshall introduced HB 1160, a bill designed to “prevent any agency, political subdivision, employee, or member of the military of Virginia from assisting an agency or the armed forces of the United States in the investigation, prosecution, or detainment of a United States citizen in violation of the Constitution of Virginia.” (from here)

So I guess the next step is to urge Governor Bob McDonnell to sign the bill. It seems it is easier to herd cats than it is to coax some politicians to do the right thing.